Spotted Lanternfly: What You Need to Know

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive insect that poses a significant threat to our local trees, crops, and economy. This pest feeds on a wide variety of plants, weakening them and making them vulnerable to disease and environmental stress. Native to Asia, the spotted lanternfly has no natural predators in our area, which is why community action is essential to controlling its spread.

What Does It Look Like?

Adult spotted lanternflies are about 1 inch long with distinctive gray wings featuring black spots. When they spread their wings, you'll see bright red underwings with black spots. Younger nymphs are black with white spots, while later-stage nymphs develop red patches.

For detailed photos and more identification information, visit the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s spotted lanternfly resource page.

What You Can Do

Kill on sight. The most effective way to control spotted lanternfly populations is to eliminate them whenever you encounter them. You can:

• Crush adults, nymphs, and egg masses
• Scrape egg masses (which look like gray mud smears on trees, rocks, and outdoor items) into a bag with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol
• Kill on sight — stomp adults when you see them

Avoid chemical pesticides. While it may seem like the right solution to use pesticides, these can harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, as well as birds and other wildlife. Mechanical removal is safer for our environment and effective when done consistently.

Report Sightings

If you spot a spotted lanternfly in our community, please report it to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Your vigilance helps us track and manage this invasive pest.

Other Resources 

Report a Problem

If you observe a tree or limb that may be considered an immediate safety hazard to the public, call 911. Non-emergency issues may be reported by submitting a service request through Herndon ON The GO.

Request a Tree

If you would like to have a tree planted in the planting strip in front of your home, please submit a tree planting request through the Herndon ON the GO portal!

Recommended Trees

If you plan to plant trees on your private property, click here to see a reference to the town’s list of approved species for our hardiness zone.

Invasive Plants and Plants to Avoid

There are many popular landscaping plants and trees that are considered invasive or not suitable for planting in Northern Virginia. Click here to view a reference list of plants to avoid planting on your property.

Insects and Pests

Stay informed about the major pests impacting our urban forests here in Herndon:

• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) – A small, green, invasive beetle that feeds on the inner bark of ash trees, eventually leading to tree death.
• Crape Myrtle Bark Scale – Small white insect that causes bark discoloration, dieback, and overall decline.
• Spongy Moth – Feeds on the leaves of various tree species (mainly oaks), potentially defoliating the entire tree.
• Asian Longhorned Beetle – Distinct spotted black and white beetle that targets a wide-range of hardwood trees like maple, poplar, and birch, causing extensive damage.
• Spotted Lanternfly – a small brown insect with bright red hindwings. Feeds on the sap of many species of trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to diseases and other pests. Kill live insects on sight.
• Hemlock Woodly Adelgid – Attacks hemlock trees, causing branch dieback, needle loss, and eventually death.

Click here to learn more about these pests and others.

Urban Wood Recycling/Reuse

Our Town is actively involved in urban wood recycling when possible, turning removed trees from urban areas into valuable resources. Together, we can reduce waste and champion eco-friendly practices. Click here to explore how you can play a part in recycling wood from your property.

Additional Helpful Links:

Virginia Tech Dendrology Fact Sheet

The International Society of Arboriculture